Page 90 of SEAL of Valor

I won’t ignore what’s between us now, but I also won’t jump right back into where we left off. Because she’s right—we’re not the same people. We have to learn who we are today if we stand a chance at making it in the future.

“We’re not,” I agree.

“Did you know that you likely wouldn’t survive that jump?” she questions, stopping just a few inches away from me.

“I knew it was a risk. Even for an uninjured man, that jump was dangerous. Without knowing the extent of my injuries, I wasn’t sure I would make it.”

“Then why did you risk it?”

“I told you. My only priority was getting you out. I didn’t care what happened to me.”

“Well, I do. So don’t lie to me about the risks again.”

I smirk. “Yes, ma’am.”

She moves in closer, and my need to have her in my arms is so strong that I release the countertop and reach out, gripping the front of her t-shirt and pulling her in closer. Her pupils dilate, and those lips I’ve dreamt of, since I was old enough to dream about such things, part slightly.

“I’m not sure where this is going, Reese, but you’re the only bright spot in my life.”

“I don’t know either,” she admits. “But I really want to find out.”

Releasing the front of her shirt, I reach up and cup her cheek. Then, I lean in and press my lips to hers. She groans softly, and I pull her closer, fire spreading through my veins, consuming every single rational thought.

All that matters is her.

In my life.

My arms.

I draw her even closer, then spin us around and press her back against the countertop. She wraps her arms around my shoulders and buries her hands in my hair. I kiss her like my life depends on it. Like, if I let go, then I’ll stumble into darkness and never surface again.

Losing her once nearly killed me.

I won’t make the same mistake again.

Whether I live or die, Reese Faye is mine. And I will spend the rest of my life loving her the way I should have done from the first moment we said, “I do.”

The doorbell rings, and I release her, stepping back to give us both space. Her hair is wild, eyes glassy, lips red and swollen. “Wow.” She smiles up at me. “Weston, I’m not sure we should be alone together.”

I laugh. “I’ve already considered that, and you can rest assured, we’ll have four chaperones.”

She scrunches her nose. “I am both happy and disappointed by that fact.”

“Trust me, it’s necessary.” Turning away from her, I head toward the door and pull it open. Sawyer is on the other side, three pizza boxes in his hands. He looks around me at Reese, then shifts his attention to me and grins.

“My, my, how the tables have turned, Cowboy.”

I roll my eyes and step aside so the rest of the team can come in. Ryker follows Sawyer in, two more pizza boxes in his hands. Garrison is next, carrying a takeout bag, which likely has ranch dressing and parmesan cheese.

Next is Zane, who is carting two large rifle bags and three smaller duffels.

“More in the car?” I ask.

He nods, so I head out toward his truck to grab the rest of the gear we’ll be prepping tonight as we make our plan to handle Brenda. Since, clearly, her handler has no intention of doing anything but waiting for her to surface.

I know all too well, though, that the waiting only helps her become more prepared.

She’ll strike, and if it’s on her terms, there’s no telling the damage she’ll do. Then there’s the fact that she has three targets in mind. Without me in the mix, she will absolutely be relying on someone else. Someone who likely won’t care who the three lives are, just the bounties on their heads.